Rowing the Atlantic
Another world record story. And this one (compared to those I've posted about recently...... sponges to the face, hula-hooping, etc.) is definitely worthy of mention.
A 72-year-old rower has finished a solo trans-Atlantic crossing he started at the end of January -- well before the coronavirus outbreak had spread around the globe.
Graham Walters set off from the Spanish island of Gran Canaria on January 25 and arrived in Antigua on Wednesday, a journey that took 96 days.
What a feat! In a boat he made himself!
And this wasn't the first time!
Walters now holds three world records: Oldest person to row across the Atlantic solo; oldest person to row across any ocean solo; and the oldest person to row across the same ocean multiple times, a spokeswoman for Guinness World Records told CNN Thursday.
Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, congratulated Walters on his achievement, adding that he "deserves to be recognised for his legendary status."
"To have broken the age record so conclusively is a testament to his determination and single-mindedness, and to do it in a boat he built in his back garden makes it all the more impressive," said Glenday in a statement.
And remember how crazy our last 3 months have been with all things "corona" in the news and in our lives? His reaction:
"I had never heard of coronavirus before I left," he said.
"But I spoke to my wife every week, and slowly and slowly it got more and more serious.
"People are more at risk [at] my age, and I've got asbestos on my lungs, so when I was rowing I thought to myself, 'this is the safest place to be, on the Atlantic'."
Good for him! What an accomplishment!! I most definitely admire individuals who set such lofty dreams/goals for themselves and then fight to attain them.
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
